England player ratings vs Australia | Autumn Nations Series
England player ratings: Despite Australia’s excellent run of form in 2021 and an outbreak in camp, England came into this contest as heavy favourites.
Eddie Jones’ men didn’t so much as win it, as the Wallabies threw it away through ill-discipline. The game never really took off and neither did England, but a wins a win and the men in white will take it.
ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS
15. FREDDIE STEWARD – 8.5
With Anthony Watson injured, this was another opportunity for Steward to use his time to cement himself into the No.15 and he’s doing just that. A brilliant in and out saw him cross the whitewash after just 7 minutes. Looks to the manor born and one expects – as commentator Nick Mullins pointed out – that this is but the start of a lengthy England career.
England make it 2/2 in their #AutumnNationsSeries campaign ? #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/hqEx34Oceo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2021
14. MANU TUILAGI – 6.5
Starting on the wing, this Tuilagi iteration was billed as a leaner, faster athlete. Popped in the centre so often that one questioned how meaningful the number on his back was. Was questionable under the high ball but made up for it with some truly violent carries up the pitch. Not quite vintage Tuilagi but a pleasing performance.
13. HENRY SLADE – 6.5
Is Slade finally seems to be converting his Exeter Chiefs form to Test level? Kicked well from hand and defended astutely. Crabbed across, before shovelling an unsympathetic pass that maybe cost Jonny May a five-pointer in the first half, and did the same crab trick before knocking on just before the final whistle. Other than those blemishes a very decent outing.
12. OWEN FARRELL – 6
Bringing up the tonne, Farrell linked up well alongside his understudy at stand-off, although the 20-year-old didn’t need much minding. Limped off with a ‘bang’ to the foot. Why does it feel like something still isn’t quite firing at the moment for Farrell?
11. JONNY MAY – 6
Never got the chance to open up and spent most of the game chasing and tackling Aussies into touch.
10. MARCUS SMITH – 8
Playing with Farrell outside him, there was a lot of pressure on Smith in what was effectively his first major Test in an England jersey, but you wouldn’t have known. Kicked well out of hand early on and showed slick hands to put Steward away. England look a different beast with Smith at the wheel.
9. BEN YOUNGS – 8
The veteran scrumhalf minded Smith well, taking the pressure off the young Harlequin with accurate box kicking and near immaculate decision-making.
1. BEVAN RODD – 6
A late call-up to starting XV for the isolated Ellis Genge, Rodd gave away a coach killer penalty to open his England account. Made life difficult for James Slipper, who was playing out of position on the tighthead. Plenty to improve on but Eddie has something to work with.
2. JAMIE GEORGE – 7.5
A large mammal-like charge up the pitch set the tone for a performance that was all guts and glory. Desperately unlucky not to score, having been foiled by the pesky Nic White. Hurt himself in the process. Replaced by Jamie Blamire after halftime.
Nic White, take a bow ?
The Wallabies 9 stops a certain Jamie George try to keep Australia in it at Twickenham.#AutumnNationsSeries #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/4fqZX6VpXM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2021
3. KYLE SINCKLER – 6.5
Shipped a knock to the knee early but was part of a frontrow that just about held the upper hand over the Wallabies at scrumtime. Several nice touches on the ball but a pretty quiet game by his standards.
4. MARO ITOJE – 7
50 caps have come around fast for the Itoje. Plenty of excellent contributions off the ball even if it this wasn’t box-office Itoje.
5. JONNY HILL – 7.5
Made himself useful around the pitch in the first half, but burst into life in the second, very nearly scoring a try from 20 metres out with five or six Wallabies hanging off him.
6. COURTNEY LAWES – 7
A surefire option for England at the lineout with George throwing, although his chemistry with replacement hooker Blamire need works. Tireless.
7. SAM UNDERHILL – 7
Carried hard and often in the trenches for modest returns. Went off for a HIA but returned for a second bite of the cherry.
8. TOM CURRY – 7
Industrious as ever and continues to carry competently, but you can’t help but feel this England back-row unit are missing a true backrow ball in hand bulldozer.
REPLACEMENTS – 5.5
Blamire had a bit of a nightmare at lineout time although he gobbled up a meat pie – his fourth in four games – when it was offered to him. Alex Dombrandt was a mixed bag during his two short cameos.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments